Duvet FAQs

What duvet tog is best?

Tog ratings on duvets are an important factor to consider. In short: the lower the tog rating, the less warm it is, making low togs great for summer months and high togs best for winter months. “Duvets aren’t just about size or style, they’re engineered for seasonal comfort through a measurement called the tog rating,” explains Sally Bonser, sleep expert at Silentnight. “This rating indicates the duvet’s thermal insulation, or how well it retains heat. The higher the tog, the warmer the duvet.” “Depending on whether you sleep hot or cold, it’s important to not only choose a duvet for the season, but also depending on the kind of sleeper you are too,” adds Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and MD of Woolroom.

What is the best all year tog duvet?

All-season duvets, which are two separate tog duvets, can be clipped together with handy poppers to create your ideal thickness depending on the season. “While the duvet tog you select ultimately comes down to a matter of preference, I would suggest that a tog rate of between 7 to 10.5 would be ideal, as it’s suitable for all seasons,” explains Fabio Perrotta, director of buying at Dreams. Sally agrees that “a tog rate between 7–10.5 tog is a versatile, all-season option – perfect for spring and autumn, or for those who prefer a moderate sleeping temperature year-round.”

What is the best tog duvet for spring/autumn?

For spring or autumn, a tog rating between 7 and 9 usually feels like the sweet spot, offering enough warmth for cooler nights without drifting into full winter territory. If you tend to sleep warm or your bedroom holds onto heat, a lighter 4.5 to 6 tog can feel more breathable and easier to live with as temperatures fluctuate. It is that in-between layer that keeps sleep comfortable while the season does its unpredictable thing, especially when paired with a cotton duvet cover and breathable bedding.

What is the best duvet tog for winter?

“As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to dip, many of us instinctively reach for the thermostat or plug in our electric blankets to stay warm,” says Sally Bonser. “Before you crank up the heat, remember that your duvet plays a crucial role in your nighttime comfort and warmth.” For winter, a tog rating of between 11 and 13 is ideal, and if your bedroom gets particularly cold, aim for at least 15 tog. “This simple seasonal switch can help regulate your body temperature more effectively, promoting deeper, uninterrupted sleep,” Sally adds. “It’s also a great opportunity to check the condition of your current duvet – if it’s lumpy, flat, or over five years old, it might be time for a replacement.”

What is the best duvet tog for summer?

For summer months, a duvet tog rating of between 2 and 8 for spring and summer is ideal. “Often, a 4.5 tog duvet strikes the perfect balance and allows you to use the same duvet from early spring through to the end of winter,” says Fabio. Sally also notes that “1-4.5 tog is ideal for hot summer nights or warm climates – these lightweight duvets offer breathability and prevent overheating.”

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What is the best type of duvet to buy?

Naturally, this will depend on your personal preferences and needs. Generally, down duvets are considered the best for winter thanks to their superior warmth and lightweight feel. They’re filled with the soft under feathers of ducks or geese, providing excellent insulation. For those with allergies, synthetic duvets made from hypoallergenic materials are a great alternative.

Natural materials, including cotton, silk, bamboo, wool, feather and down, are often best for summer duvets – or for hot sleepers. When compared to synthetic-fill duvets, natural models tend to perform better in terms of temperature regulation and breathability. “Heat regulation is crucial to great sleep, and being too hot is often the number one disruptor of a great night’s sleep,” says Chris Tattersall.

Down duvets are known for their warmth and lightness. “This means your duvet will be lighter with more airflow and, therefore, offers better breathability compared to a more compact synthetic duvet,” says Fabio Perrotta. Synthetic duvets, on the other hand, are designed to replicate down without using feathers and are often cheaper and hypoallergenic. “Microfibre duvets are a good choice for a synthetic summer duvet as microfibre filling is designed to mimic the feel of cotton and feathers, so it’s much more lightweight,” adds Fabio.

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What duvets do hotels use?

Ever stayed at a hotel and wondered, “What duvets do hotels use”? You’re not alone. Many hotels — especially luxury ones — use duvets filled with goose feather and down. Goose down is known for being incredibly light, soft, and giving that signature fluffy, cloud-like comfort. The quality of goose down can vary, but five-star hotels often go for high fill power options. That means better insulation, less weight, and an even fluffier feel – basically, sleep heaven. Dreamy.

But practicality plays a big role too. Hotel duvets are almost always machine washable, quick to dry and built for durability, which is why many opt for premium synthetic fillings that resist clumping and cope well with frequent laundering. Finished with crisp cotton covers and layered over supportive mattresses and hotel-grade pillows, the result is that familiar balance of lightweight, lofty and quietly luxurious that makes you reconsider your own bedding choices the moment you get home.

Are feather and down duvets ethical?

In short, feather and down duvets are not inherently cruel, but their ethics depend entirely on how the filling is sourced. Feather and down duvets use by-products of the food industry, rather than birds being raised purely for bedding, but concerns arise around practices like live-plucking and force-feeding. That is why traceability matters. Many reputable brands now source fillings certified by the Responsible Down Standard, which sets strict rules around animal welfare and supply chain transparency.

If a duvet clearly states its down or feather is responsibly sourced, audited and certified, it’s generally considered an ethical option within the category. Higher quality duvets also tend to use better-grade fillings, meaning longer durability, better loft retention and fewer replacements over time, which has its own sustainability upside. Still, the lack of clear sourcing information is a red flag, especially at very low price points.

For anyone who’d rather avoid animal-derived fillings altogether, modern alternatives have come a long way. Premium synthetic duvets now deliver that cloud-like feel with impressive breathability and temperature regulation, often alongside hypoallergenic and eco-conscious credentials. The good news is that ethical sleep no longer means compromising on comfort, and the best brands are making it easier to choose well, without the bedtime guilt.

How often should I replace my duvet?

It’s recommended that you replace your duvet every 2-5 years, depending on quality, filling and how hard it’s working night after night. Over time, even a high quality duvet will start to lose its loft, meaning less warmth, poorer temperature regulating performance and a noticeably flatter feel that no amount of shaking can fix. Regular washing helps, but it doesn’t stop the gradual build-up of dust mites and allergens, which can make a tired duvet less comfortable and less hygienic, especially for allergy sufferers.

Seasonal changes often highlight when a swap is overdue. “The clocks going back is usually a good indicator of when to switch your duvet,” says Sally Bonser, “but as a general rule, you should make the change when average nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 10°C, as we are starting to see.” If you find yourself feeling either chilly or overheating despite adjusting layers, that is another clue your duvet is past its best.

Pay attention to how it feels, not just how it looks. If the filling has started to clump, feels uneven across the bed or no longer springs back after airing, it is probably time for an upgrade. A fresh duvet restores that plump, breathable comfort that makes getting into bed feel properly inviting again, and it tends to work better with the rest of your sleep set-up, from your mattress and pillows to your duvet cover.

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How to clean your duvet

Fortunately, most duvets are now machine washable and safe for tumble dryers. However, it’s crucial to follow the specific care instructions on each duvet to ensure proper cleaning and to extend its lifespan. Summer duvets, with their lower tog ratings, usually fit comfortably in most washing machine drums. In contrast, winter duvets with higher tog ratings or larger duvet sizes, like king or emperor, might require a trip to a launderette or dry cleaners.

For optimal maintenance, it’s recommended to wash bedding at 60°C to effectively eliminate dust mites and bacteria. While 40°C is adequate for general cleaning, 60°C provides a more thorough disinfection. As for how often to wash your duvet, every four months is a good guideline, though this can vary by brand. Some duvets may only need to be aired out rather than washed, so consider this when selecting a duvet, especially if it’s not machine washable.

As Sally sums up, “Your duvet plays a crucial role in keeping you warm and comfortable – but more than that, it can help you sleep better. Choosing the right tog for the season and knowing when to switch it up can make all the difference to how rested you feel.”